I was invited yesterday - with Sir Ming Campbell - as a guest on the Radio 4 Programme, A Week in Politics, to discuss recent events in the Middle East. My main point was that democracy was not just about overthrowing a dictator or even just concerned with elections. Real freedom means property rights, religious tolerance, equality towards women, the rule of law and elections. Without all these ingredients, democracy is a sham. My second point was to ask whether what was happening in Egypt and elsewhere was like Eastern Europe 1989 or Iran circa 1977 when the Ayatolllah's began the revolution. My feeling is that what is going on now, is somewhere in between. Whilst many of the protesters yearn for liberty - and for food - the Islamists (in the shape of the Muslim Brotherhood), lurk in the background. British Foreign policy needs to be reappraised so as to support genuine democratic groups in the Middle East, rather than just focusing on supporting those regimes who provide the illusion of 'stability'.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment